{am  . 


Duke  University  Libraries 

Report  of  Commi 

Conf  Pam  #283 

DTTDES7flD/ 


REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE 


QUARTERMASTER  AND  COMMSSARY  DEPARTMENTS, 


ON  CASE  OF  MAJOR  FRANK  G.  RUFFIN. 


The  committee  on  the  quartermaster  and  commissary  depart- 
ments and  military  transportation,  to  whom  was  referred  the  reso- 
lution of  this  House,  instructing  them  "to  make  special  inquiry 
and  report  as  to  any  connection,  official  or  otherwise,  that  ^lajor 
Frank  G,  Ruffin,  of  the  commissary  department,  may  have  had 
with  the  making,  or  with  the  benefits"  of  a  contract  entered  into  be- 
tween the  Confederate  Spates  and  Messrs.  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co., 
for  supplies  of  flour  ;  have  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and 
have  instructed  me  to  report :  That  after  a  full  and  searching  inves- 
tigation, and  an  examination  of  all  the  witnessess  who  were  sup- 
posed to  be  best  acquainted  with  the  facts,  and  after  soliciting  evi- 
dence by  giving  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  the  sessions  of  the 
committee  to  all  parties  concerned,  (copies  of  which  correspondence, 
together  with  a  memorandum  of  the  proof,  are  herewith  submitted,) 
the  committe  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  Major  Frank  G.  Ruffin 
had  no  connection,  either  official  or  otherwise,  with  the  making  of  said 
contract,  and  no  interest  whatever  in  the  benefits  or  profits  thereof. 
On  the  contrary,  the  proof  conclusively  shows  that  he  knew  nothing  of 
the  fact  that  any  such  contract  was  in  contemplation  until  after  it 
was  consummated,  being  absent  on  furlough,  by  reason  of  sickness, 
when  it  Avas  made. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

W.  P.  CHILTON, 

Chairman,  ^c. 


^   RESOLUTION. 


Resolved,  That  the  committee'  on  quartermaster  and  commissary  de- 
partments, to  whom  has  been  referred  the  subject  of  the  flour  con- 
tract of  Messrs.  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.,  be  instructed  to  make  spe- 
cial inquiry  and  report  as  to  any  connection,  oflGicial  or  otherwise,  that 
Major  Frank  G.  Ruffin,  of  the  commissary  department,  may  have  had 
with  the  making  or  with  the  benefits  of  Miat  contract  ;  and  that  said 
committee  have  full  power  to  investigate  all  matters  appertaining  to  said 
contract. 

JOHN  B.  BALDWIN, 
Eleventh  Virginia  District. 


^X33 


LETTER  FROM  MAJOR  FRANK  G.  RUFFIN. 


Confederate  States  or  America,  ^ 

Subsistence  Department,       > 

January  16,  1863.    ) 

Sir:  On  Tuesday  last,  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  Mr.  H.  S. 
Foote  took  occasion  to  make  very  distinct  charges  against  me  as  arn^ 
officer  and  a  gentleman. 

I  learned  by  the  papers  of  yesterday  that  an  investigation  of  that 
matter  had  been  referred  to  the  committee  of  vrhich  I  learn  you  are 
chairman,  and  I  write  to  you  this  morning  to  announce  myself  read^ 
for  instant  trial.  I  ask  for  it  on  two  grounds:  Ist,  your  duty  to  ridi 
this  bureau  of  my  presence  if  I  be  corrupt  ;  2d,  the  justice  which- 
I  am  very  sure  you  will  accord  me  at  once,  if  I  have  been  outraged- 
by  Mr.  Foote. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  at  your  earliest  convenience.     A. 
letter  will  reach  me  at  the  office  of  the  commissary  general. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  G.  RUFFIN, 
Major  and  Cotnmissary    Subsistence. 


COPY  OF  LETTER  SENT  L.  B.  NORTHROP. 


House  of  Represhktatives,  ^ 

*  Confederate  States  of  America,       > 

January^6th,  1863.  ) 

Col.  L,  B,  Northrop, 

Commissary  General  Confederate  States: 

Sir:  The  House  of  Representatives,  on  the  14th  instant,  passed  a 
resolution,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 


*'  Resolved,  That  the  committee  heretofore  appointed  to  inquire  into 
the  action  of  the  commissaries  and  quartermasters,  in  reference  to 
their  transactions,  inquire  into  and  report  fully  as  to  the  contract 
recently  entered  into  between  the  commissary  general  and  Haxall, 
Crenshaw  &  Co.,  in  reference  to  supplies  of  flour."  As  chairman  of 
the  committee  to  whom  said  resolution  was  referred,  and  as  preliminary 
to  the  investigation  thereby  required,  I  have  to  ask  that  you  furnish,  at 
your  earliest  convenience,  copies  of  all  contracts  entered  into  on 
behalf  of  the  Confederate  States,  with  Messrs.  Ilaxall,  Crenshaw  & 
Co.,  for  supplies  of  flour,  as  well  as  of  any  change  or  modification 
thereof,  if  any  has  been  made,  that  said  copy  or  copies  may  be  laid 
before  said  committee. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  P.  CHILTON, 
-  Chairman  Committee  on  Quartermaster  and  Commissary  Departments,  ^c. 


LETTER  OF  MAJOR  F.  G.  RUFFIN,  AND  REPLY. 


Bureau  of  Subsistence,  ) 

Richmond,  1  1-4  P.M.  S 
Hon.  W.  P.  Chilton, 

Member  of  Congress : 

Sir  :  Your  note  is  received  this  moment.  If  you  will  let  me  know 
where  your  room  on  Main  street  is — your  present  reference  to  it, 
being  indefinite — myself  and  the  gentlemen  mentioned  in  your 
note  will  attend  with  pleasure. 

I  must  beg  that  you  notify,  or  summons,  Mr.  Foote  also  to  attend, 
as  his  presence  is  important. 

My  messeng^  will  await  your  answer  at  the  door  of  the  House  of 
Representative? 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  G.  RUFFIN, 

Major  and  Commissary  Subsistence. 


House  of  Representatives,  ) 
January  28,  1863.      } 

Major  F.  G.  Ruffin  : 

Sir  :  The  room  is  that  occupied  by  the*  doorkeeper  of  the  House  on 
Main  street,  north  side,  a  few  doors  above  tenth  street,  over  Taylor's 
music  store. 

Hon.  Mr.  Foote  will  be  notified  of  the  meeting. 

Respectfully  yours, 

W.  P.  CHILTON, 

Chairman. 


COPY  SERVED  ON  HON.  H.  S.  FOOTE   BY  JUDGE 

CHILTON. 


House  of  Representatives,  ) 
January  28,  1863.      ) 

Hon.  H.  S.  Foote, 

Member  of  Congress : 

Sir  :  The  committee  on  the  quartermaster  and  commissary  depart- 
ments and  military  transportation,  will  hold  a  meeting  of  the  commit- 
tee this  evening  at  7  1-2  o'clock,  at  its  room  over  Taylor's  music 
store,  on  north  side  Main  street,  a  few  doors  above  tenth  street,  at 
which  time  and  place  the  committee  will  take  up  for  consideration  the 
resolution  offered  by  Hon.  Mr.  Baldwin,  in  reference  to  th>  connection 
which  Major  Frank  G.  RufTiu  may  have  with  the  contract  made  for 
flour  with  Messrs.  Ilaxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.,  by  the  commissary  depart- 
ment. The  committee  would  be  pleased  to  have  you  present,  or 
receive  any  suggestions  in  writing  which  may  occur  to  you  in  refer-- 
ence  to  the  inquiry  before  the  committee. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  ' 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

.    W.  P.  CHILTON, 

Chairman, . 


LETTER  FROM  HON.  H.  S.  FOOTE. 


House  of  Representatives,  ) 
January  28,  1863.      ] 

Hon.  W.  P.  Chilton, 

Chair  turn,  ^~c : 

Sir  :  I  have  received  your  polite  note  inviting  me  to  be  present, 
(if  I  choose  to  come)  at  the  session  of  your  committee  of  this  evening. 
I  am  afraid  I  can  hardly  be  present,  as  I  have  other  pressing  engage- 
ments, with  which  in  all  probability  I  shall  not  be  able  to  dispense.  I 
do  not  regard  my  presence  as  at  all  necessary  to  the  success  of  the  con- 
templated investigation,  having  the  fullest  confidence  in  the  zeal  and 
diligence  of  the  committee,  and  having  no  personal  solicitude  about 
the  officer,  except  such  as  I  conceive  every  patriotic  and  public  spirited 
man  must  feel  touching  alleged  frauds  on  the  government,  in  relation 
to  which  I  can  Enow  nothing  personally,  and  have  no  means  of  form- 
ing any  opinion,  save  such  statements  as  I  have  received  from  sources 
of  apparent  respectability.  I  need  not  say  to  you,  who  heard  all  that 
I  have  said  on  this  painful  subject  in  the  House,  that  I  have  not  in 
terms,  charged  Mr.  Ruffin  with  fraudulent  complicity  in  the  contract 
for  flour  with  Messrs.  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.  I  alleged  that  certain 
statements  in  regard  to  this  contract  in  the  newspapers  of  Richmond 
had  attracted  my  attention  ;  that  these  statements  had  been  greatly 
strengthened  by  the  affirmations  of  respectable  gentlemen  in  Rich- 
mond, professing  to  have  personal  knowledge  of  particulars,  which 
induced  me  to  believe  that  the  necessity  had  arisen  for  an  immediate 
and  scrutinizing  inquiry,  with  a  view  to  the  ascertainment  of  truth, 
and  the  punishment  of  all  culprits,  whose  guilt  might  be  established 
by  satisfactory  evidence.  As  to  Mr.  Ruffin,  I  did  not  pretend  to  say 
more  than  that  I  could  not  but  believe,  from  the  information  which 
had  reached  me,  that  he  either  had  some  interest  in  this  famous  con- 
tract, or  that  he  had  some  hand  in  the  negotiation  of  it ;  that  I  hoped 
that  the  contrary  was  the  case,  and  that  he  would  be  able  to  establish 
his  innocence  ;  but  that  I  felt  bound  to  insist  that  the  whole  affair 
should  be  closely  looked  into,  in  order  both  to  secure  the  punishment 
of  the  guilty  and  the  vindication  of  those  wrongly  accused.  That 
Mr.  Ruffin  may  be  able  to  show  himself  to  have  been  unjustly 
suspected,  is  still  my  earnest  -wish.  Having  thus  explained  my  own 
position  in  regard  to  this  grave  and  interesting  proceeding,  I  take  the 
liberty  of  proffering  the  interrogatories  transmitted  as  being  such  as 
occur  to  me  as  proper  to  be  propounded  by  the  committee  to-night. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

H.  S.  FOOTE. 


"With  deference,  I  would  suggest  that  in  the  inquiry  touching  Mr. 
Ruffin,  the  committee  should  put  him,  Mr.  Crenshaw,  an  officer  in 
department,  and  the  commissary  general,  aslo  the  members  of  the  firm 
of  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.  on  oath,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining : 

1.  Was  he  interested  in  the  flour  contract? 

2.  Did  he  recommend  the  making  of  the  contract  to  the  commissary 
general  ? 

3.  Did  he,  at  the  instance  of  the  firm  of  Ilaxall,  Crenshaw  k  Co., 
or  of  any  member  of  said  firm,  counsel  the  commissary  general  to 
make  said  contract  ? 

4.  Who  are  the  members  of  said  firm  ? 

5.  Is  Mr.  Ruffin  connected  with  the  Crenshaw's,  or  either  of  them, 
in  business  of  any  kind,  or  in  contracs  with  the  government,  or  has 
he  been  recently  thus  connected  ? 

6.  Which  of  the  Crenshaw's  is  now  in  the  commissary  department  ? 

7.  Which  of  them  has  been  sent  to  Europe  by  the  department,  and 
for  what  purposes  ? 

8.  lias  not  Mr.  Ruffin  officially  approved  said  flour  contract,  and 
has  he  not,  in  conversation,  repeatedly  defended  and  justified  it? 


LETTER  TO  MR.  FOOTE. 


January  -16,  1863. 
Hon.  Mr.  Foote  : 

Sir  :  Anticipating  much  good  to  the  common  cause  from 'your  com- 
mittee of  investigation,  which  is  loudly^  called  for  by  the  public 
interest,  allow  me  to  throw  out  a  few  hints  and  suggestions: 

1st.  That  inquiry  be  made  in  regard  to  the  quality  of  the  flour  fur- 
nished for  the  army,  under  the  late  contract  made  by  the  Commissary 
Department,  as  well  as  the  compensation  for  grinding,  and  whether  any 
of  it  has  ever  been  branded  superfine  by  the  principal  flour  inspector 
after  having  been  coiidemned  ;is  unmerchantable  by  his  deputy,  who  is, 
by  those  engaged  in  the  trade,  considered  a  much  better  judge  than 
the  principal  inspector-  also,  whether  said  deputy  is  now  permitted  to 
inspect  any  flour  intended  for  the  army  under  that  contract. 

2d.  It  may  be  well,  also,  to  inquire  into  the  unique  contract  made 
with  the  same  parties  in  1861  ;  whether  the  price  agreed  upon  with 
them  was  not  higher  than  the  other  city  millers  were  to  receive  (under 
any  circumstances),  with  the  understanding  that  they  were  to  liave  an 
additional  price  if  wheat  advanced,  giving  them  an  opportunity  of 
greatly  increasing  their  profits  by  raising  the  price  of  wheat  after 


8 

they  had  scciard  a  large  supply.  Also,  who  made  that  contract,  and 
whether  the  individual  who  made  it,  or  who  took  an  active  part  in 
making  i ",  did  not  usurp  the  right  or  duty  of  another  officer  of  the 
department  (perhaps  Major  John  H.  Claiborne,  a  first  rate  officef ,  but 
it  is  said  one  of  the  C.  family  who  ranks  as  Colonel  has  lately  gotten 
into  the  Commissary  Department,  and  is,  of  course,  placed  above 
him). 

3d.  The  purchase  of  horses  and  mules  is  said  to  have  been  exceed- 
ingly profitable  in  this  vicinity, 

4th.  It  may  be  well,  also,  to  inquire  how  corn  is  delivered  fro77i  the 
Quartermaster's  Department — whether  all  the  bags  contain  as  much  as 
two  bushels,  and  whether  any  are  delivered  as  less  than  two  bushels, 
although  weighed  when  received  ;  also,  how  many  men  are  employed 
in  these  departments  to  do  what  one  is  capable  of  performing.  And 
after  reading  this  it  may  destroyed,  the  only  desire  of  the  writer  being 
to  aid  you  in  serving  the  country. 

Q. 


LETTER  OF  MAJOR  F.  G.  RUFFIN. 


Committee  Room,  January  30,  1863. 

Hon.  W.  P.  Chilton,  M.  C, 

Chairman  of  Cotnmittce : 

Sir:  In  the  letter  addressed  you  by  Hon.  Mr.  Foote,  under  date 
January  28,  in  which  he  declines  to  attend  the  sittings  of  your  com- 
mittee whilst  engaged  in  the  investigation  of  his  public  charges 
against  me,  he  says  that  he  had  received  on  that  subject,  "  statements 
from  sources  of  apparent  respectability."  He  further  says  that  the 
newspaper  "  statements,"  in  regard  to  the  matter  "  had  been  greatly 
strengthened  by  the  affirmations  of  respectable  gentlemen  in  Rich- 
mond, professing  to  have  personal  knowledge  of  particulars." 

I  would  most  respectfully  suggest  to  yourself  and  your  colleagues, 
that  I  am  anxious  that  Mr.  Foote  be  requested  to  point  out  distinctly 
to  yourselves  "  the  sources  of  apparent  respectability,"  and  name  the 
respectable  gentlemen,  and  that  they  be  summoned  before  your  com- 
mittee for  examination  in  my  case. 

I  would  say  that  I  have  not  the  slightest  wish  to  give  your  com- 
mittee unnecessary  trouble,  but  that  it  may  be  alleged  hereafter  that  all 
the  testimony  of  which  notice  had  been   thus  given  you  in  general 
'terras,  has  not  been  summoned  to  the  case. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK.  G,  RUFFIN, 

Major  and  C.  S.  ■ 


9 

LETTER  OF  W.  P.  CHILTON,  CHAIRMAN. 


Committee  Room,  January  2,  1863. 

Major  F.  G.  Ruffin, 

Sir  :  Yours  of  the  SOtli  ult.,  was  duly  received,  and  was  laid  before 
the  committee.  I  am  instructed  to.  say,  in  reply,  that  the  committee 
feel  satisfied  that  they  have  used  all  proper  diligence  in  arriving  at 
all  the  proof  which  could  be  adduced  in  the  matter  of  their  investiga- 
tion ;  and  as  they  have  closed  it  and  prepared  a  report,  they  are  in- 
disposed to  open  it,  without  some  assurance  that  further  proof  could 
be  made. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

Very  truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  P.  CHILTON, 

Chairmav,  ^'c. 


Dr.  Beale,  deposed  : 

Question  by  chairman — Are  you  acquainted  with  Major  Frank  G. 
RuflSn,  and  if  so,  how  long  have  you  known  him  ? 

Answer  by  witness — I  have  known  him  for  the  last  ten  or  twelve 
years,  and  have  been  his  family  physician  for  some  time  past. 

Question  by  chairman — Were  you  his  family  physician  during  the 
year  1862?  If  you  were,  state  whether  he  consulted  you  in  regard 
to  his  health  during  that  year,  and  when  ;  and  what  advice  you  gave 
him,  and  what  he  did  consequent  thereupon. 

Answer  by  same — I  think  Major  Ruffin  was  sick  about  the  first  of 
May,  1862,  and  v. as  confined  to  the  house  about  the  3d  of  June.  He 
remained  sick  in  bed  until  the  third  (3rd)  of  July.  lie  had  been  com- 
plaining for  a  month  prev'ous,  occasionally.  I  at  length  became  sat- 
isfied that  he  was  mentally  overworked.  I  advised  him  to  leave  his 
office,  and  retire  to  his  farm,  for  his  mind  was  needing  rest  as  well  as 
his  body.  After  his  first  attack,  which  was  one  of  acute  gout,  I  was 
satisfied  that  he  wanted  exercise  and  rest  from  his  physical  duties. 
Several  weeks  afterwards  I  told  Major  Ruffin  that  he  must  go  to  the 
Alleghany  Springs.  This  was  a  matter  then  of  life  and  death.  He  left 
the  city  and  remained  out  of  it  until  about  the  middle  of  September. 
He  was  sick  about  five  months.  He  was  absent  from  the  city  from  the 
first  August  until  the   latter  part  of  September,  1862. 

Question  by  Major  Ruffin — State,  if  you  please,  whether  you  did 
not  give  me  advice  to  abstain  from  my  business  pursuits  for  some 
time  ?  •        ^ 

Answer  by  Dr.  Beale — I  did  advise  you  to  leave  your  office,  and 
obtain  rest  for  your  mind  as  well  as  3'our  body. 

Col.  L.  B.  Northrop,  deposed  : 

Question  by  chairman — You  are  acquainted  with  Major  Frank  G. 
Ruffin.     Does  he  occupy  a  position  in   the   commissary    department  ? 

Answer  by  witness — He  does. 

Question  by  same — Was  he  many  way  connected,  or  directly  or  in- 
directly interested,  in  the  flour  contract  of  Messrs.  Haxall,  Crenshaw 
&  Co.  ? 

Answer  by  witness — Not  in  the  slightest. 

Question  by  same — Do  you  know  where  Major  Ruffin  was  between 
the  first  of  August  and  riie  middle  of  last  September,  1862  ? 

Answer  by  witness — For  some*time  in  May  he  was  sick  and  absent 
several  tim>  s  from  the  office.  For  a  while  he  was  confined  to  his  bed. 
I  visited  him  several  times,  frequently.  I  was  not  allowed  to  see  him 
by  order  of  his  physician.  I  did  not  consult  with  him  on  any  busi- 
ness, and  I  never  had  the  slightest  idea  of  speaking  to  him  of  the  con- 
tract. Indeed  I  refrained  from  talking  to  him,  for  I  was  apprehensive 
that  I  should  never  have  his  services  again,  and  I  could  not  spare  him. 


12"' 

While  he  was  absent  from  the  city  I  got  some  letters  from  him,  and 
and  wrote  to  him,  but  never  mentioned  the  contract. 

Question  by  chairman — Do  you  know  of  any  business  connection 
between  Major  Ruffin  and  Messrs.  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.  ? 

Answer  by  witness — I  do  not.  I  have  never  heard  it  alleged  until 
recently. 

Question  by  same — Is  ]Major  Ruffin  connected  with  the  Crenshaw's, 
or  either  of  them,  in  business  of  any  kind,  or  in  contracts  with  the 
government,  or  has  he  been  recently  thus  connected  ? 

Answer  by  witness — Personally,  I  know  nothing  of  any  such  connec- 
tions or  contracts. 

Question  by  same — Which  of  the  Crenshaw's  is  in  the  commissary 
department  ? 

Answer  by  witness — James  R.  Crenshaw. 

Question  by  chairman — What  relation  does  Major  Ruffin  bear  to  the 
firm  of  Messrs.  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.  ? 

Answer  by  witness — None,  except  that  he  is  a  very  intimate  friend 
of  Lewis  D.  Crenshaw. 

Question  by  same — Which  of  the  Messrs.  Crenshaw  have  been  sent 
to  Europe  by  the  department  ? 

Answer  by  witness — I  do  not  know  of  any  one  being  sent  on  busi- 
ness of  this  department. 

Question  by  same — Has  not  Major  Ruffin  officially  approved  said 
flour  contract,  and  has  he  not,  in  conversation,  repeatedly  defended 
and  justified  it  ? 

Answer  by  witness — Unquestionably  he  has.  Every  one  who  ever 
heard  the  proper  terms  of  the  contract  will  approve  and  justify  it. 

Question  by  same — lias  be  officially  approved  it  ? 

Answer  by  witness — As  an  officer  in  my  department,  I  may  say 
that  he  has. 

Question  by  same — I  ask  whether  he,  as  an  officer,  had  anything  to 
do  with  the  making  of  the  contract  ? 

Answer  by  witness — lie  did  not;  he  knew  nothing  about  it. 

Question  by  same — Is  there  any  connection,  by  blood  or  marriage, 
between  Major  Ruffin  and  any  member  of  the  firm  of  Haxall,  Cren- 
shaw &  Co.  ? 

Answer  by  witness — None  that  I  know  of. 

Question  by  Mr.  Clarke — Who  of  the  brothers  Crenshaw  have  gone 
to  Europe  ? 

Answer  by  same — Mr.  William  Crenshaw  has  gone  to  Europe, 
under  instructions,  as  I  understand,  from  the  Navy  Department. 

Question  by  Mr.  Ruffin — Will  you  state,  Col.  Northrop,  if  you 
please,  what  were  the  circurastance^f  our  first  interview  ? 

Answer — I  arrived  here  about  the  last  of  May,  1861,  and  was  stop- 
ping at  the  Spottswood  Hotel.  I  had  then  gotten  no  rooms  in  which 
to  do  the  business  of  my  department.  One  night  a  gentleman  was 
announced  as  Captain  Ruffin,  I  had  never  heard  of  him  before.  We 
had  some  conversation,  and  I  found  that  he  was  connected  with  the 
Commissariat  of  Virginia.  He  proposed  to  resign.  I  told  him  that 
I  desired  to  keep  in  position  those  officers  who  were  acquainted  with 


^13 

the  business  of  the  Commissary  Department,  and  that  it  was  impor- 
tant to  have  them,  and  that  I  did  not  desire  him  to  leave.  Since 
then  our  relations  have  become  closer  and  closer.  I  do  not  know 
a  gentleman  of  more  strict  integrity ;  he  is  active  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties.  I  have  the  highest  confidence  in  him,  and 
cherish  towards  him  feelings  of  the  deepest  gratitude  for  service 
rendered.  I  believe  him  one  of  the  best  patriots  in  the  Confederacy, 
and  one  of  the  truest  men  I  know  of. 

Question  bj  Major  Ruffin — Will  you  state  further  whether,  during 
the  period  I  Avas  at  the  Springs,  I  addressed  jou  a  letter  on  the 
question  of  resigning  my  position  ? 

Answer  by  witness — He  did,  and  I  insisted  that  he  should  not  do 
so.  I  wanted  him  again.  I  required  an  active  and  upright  man  such 
as  he  was,  and  I  could  not  do  without  him.  When  he  was  sent  away 
the  doctor  said  he  wanted  a  furlough,  and  proposed  a  month  I  said 
two  months  ;  and  when  he  was  away  I  wrote  to  him  not  to  come  back 
until  he  was  ready  to  do  so. 

Question  by  Mr.  Royston — What  position  does  Mr.  Ruffin  hold  in 
the  Commissary  Department,  and  what  duties  does  he  perform  ? 

Answer  by  witness — lie  attends  to  the  buying  of  cattle,  and  pur- 
chases the  supply  of  beef  for  the  army  about  Richmond;  but  he  attends 
to  anything  else  which  his  high  local  knowledge  fits  him  for.  1  al- 
ways find  him  ready,  night  or  day,  to  attend  to  the  call  of  duty. 

Question  by  Mr.  Chilton — Does  his  official  position  require  him  to 
have  anything  to  do  with  approving  any  contract  ?  ^ 

Answer  by  witness — It  does  not.  I  am  responsible  for  everything. 

James  R.  Crenshaw,  deposed; 

Question  by  chairman — Was  Major  Ruffin  interested  in  the  flour, 
contract  with  Ilaxall,  Crenshaw  k  Co.  ? 

Answer  by  witness — Not  at  all  that  I  know  of;  if  he, had  been  I 
should  have  known  it. 

,  Question  by  same — Did  he  recommend  the  making  of  the  contract 
to  the  Commissary  General? 

Answer  by  witness — I  do  not  believe  Major  Ruffin  knew  that  the 
bureau  had  any  such  thing  in  contemplation.  I  went  to  see  him  very 
often  when  he  was  sick.  I  saw  him  oftener  than  anybody  else.  He 
had  a  conversation  with  mc  about  resigning,  and  I  advised  him  not  to 
do  so. 

Question  by  the  same — Did  he  at  the  instance  of  the  firm  of  Haxall, 
Crenshaw  &  Co.,  or  any  member  of  said  firm,  counsel  the  Commissary 
General  to  make  said  contract  ? 

Answer  by  witness — He  did  not  know  anything  of  it. 

Question  by  same — Who  are  the  members  of  said  firm  ? 

Answer  by  witness — R.  B.  Haxall,  L.  D.  Crenshaw,  George  D. 
Fisher  and  T.  B.  Grundy. 

Question  by  same — Is  Mr.  Ruffin  connected  with  the  Crenshaw's  or 
either  of  them,  in  business  of  any  kind,  or  in  their  contracts  with 
the  Government,  or  has  he  been  recently  thus  connected  ? 

Answer  by  witness^-Previous  to  the  war  Mr.  Ruffin  was  editor  of 
the  "  Southern  Tlanter,"  an  agricultural  journal  of  the  city  of  Rich- 


14  ^ 

mond,  and.  for  several  years  was  secretary  of  the  State  Agricultural 
Society,  whicli  he  resigned  some  little  time  before  the  war.  Ho  was 
before  the  war,  engaged  in  the  manipulation  of  guano,  with  Wm.  G. 
Crenshaw  and  L.  I).  Crenshaw,  That  is  the  only  business  connection 
he  has  ever  had  with  them. 

Question  by  same — Which  of  the  Crenshaw's  is  in  the  Commissary 
Department  ? 

Answer  by  witness — i\Iyself. 

Question  by  same — Which  of  the  Crenshaw's  has  been  sent  to 
Europe,  and  for  what  purpose  ? 

Answer  by  witness — Wm.  G.  Crenshaw  was  sent  to  Europe  by  the 
Navy  Department,  and  when  it  was  found  out  that  he  was  going,  he 
also  received  some  commissions  from  the  War  Department.  He  was 
not  sent  by  the  Commissary  Department. 

Question  by  same — Has  not  Mr.  Huffin  officially  approved  said  flour 
contract^  and  has  he  not,  in  conversation,  repeatedly  defended  and 
justified  it  ? 

Answer  by  witness — He  has  not,  I  think  officially  approved  it.  He 
has  both  defended  and  justified  it.  I  know  he  approves  of  the  pro- 
priety of  the  contract  thoroughly.  I  think  he  believes  it  was  a  very 
good  thing  for  the  bureau. 

Major  F.  G.  Ruffin,  deposed  : 

Question  by  chairman — Are  you  interested  in  any  way  in  the  flour 
contract  made  with  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.  ? 
AnsA\»r  by  witness — None  whatever. 

Question  by  same — Did  you  recommend  the  making  of  the  contract 
to  the  Commissary  General  ? 

Answer  by  witness — I  did  not.  Had  I  been  here  I  should  have 
done  so,  for  I  heartily  approve  it. 

Question  by  same — Did  you  at  the  instance  of  the  firm  of  Haxall, 
Crenshaw  &  Co.,  or  any  member  of  said  firm,  counsel  with  the  Com- 
missary General  to  make  said  contract  ? 

Answer  by  witness — I  had  not  any  idea  of  what  was  going  gn — the 
condition  of  my  health  was  such  that  I  doubted  if  I  would  ever  be 
able  again  to  attend  to  my  duties.  I  knew  nothing  of  that  contract 
at  the  time  it  was  made,  and  had  I  known  it  I  would  not  have  inter- 
fered in  their  business. 

Question  by  the  same — Are  you  connected  with  the  Crenshaw's  or 
either  of  them,  in  business  of  any  kind,'  or  in  contracts  with  the 
Government,  or  have  you  been  recently  thus  interested. 

Answer  by  witness — In  no  way  whatever.     Several  years  ago  I  was 
connected  with  the  Crenshaw's  in  the   manufacture  of  manipulated  . 
guano,  but  that  concern  is  broken  up. 

Question  by  same — Which  of  the  Crenshaw's  is  in  the  Commissary 
Department  ? 

Ansvfer  by  witness — James  R.  Crenshaw, 

Question  by  same — Have  you  not  officially  approved  said  flour  con- 
tract, and  have  you  not,  in  conversation,  repeatedly  defended  and 
justified  it  ?  •  . 

Answer  by  witness — Officially,  I  could  not  have  approved  it.     It 


15 

was  not  my  official  duty  to  do  so.     Personally  1  have  approved  it.     I 
have  sought  opportunities  for  that  purpose. 

Lewis  D.  Crenshaw  : 

Are  you  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Haxall,  Crenshaw  Co.  ? 

Answer — I  am. 

Who  compose  that  firm  ? 

Answer — R.  B.  Haxall,  Geo.  D.  Fisher,  T.  B.  Grundy  and  myself. 

Please  state  if  Major  Frank  G.  lluffin  has  any  interest  in  said  firm 
of  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.,  of  any  sort,  or  ever  had  ? 

Answer — He  has  not,  either  directly  or  indircctl}^  and  never  has 
had. 

In  the  contract  made  for  supplying  the  Government  with  flour  by 
the  firm  of  Haxiill,  Crenshaw  &  Co.,  did  Major  Ruffin  have  anything 
to  do.  either  as  counseling];  with  said  firm  or  otherwise  ? 

Answer — He  did  not.  He  was  absent  at  its  inception,  and  con- 
tinued absent  during  the  period  of  negotiation  of  said  contract  until 
after  its  consummation.  There  was  no  exchange  of  words  between 
any  member  of  said  firm  and  Major  Ruffin,  either  orally  or  in  writing. 
The  matter  of  the  contract  was  mainly  negotiate<l  through  myself  on 
the  part  of  said  firm,  the  senior  partner  being  absent,  and  probably, 
Mr.  Grundy  the  most  of  the  time. 

Had  Major  Ruffin  at  any  time,  cither  directly  or  indirectly,  any 
interest  in  said  flour  contract  ? 

Answer — He  had  not. 

Please  state  anything  you  may- know  that  will  aid  the  committee  in 
arriving  at  fl  correct  understanding  of  the  matter  referred  to-  them  ?- 

Answer — The  firm  of  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co.  had  a  contract  with 
the  Government  in  the  month  of  August,  1861,  which  was  negotiated 
in  part  with  Mr.  Ruffin,  as  agent  of  the  Government.  This  contract 
was  for  flour  to  be  furnished  the  Government  by  said  firm.  When  I 
say  Major  Ruffin  made  the  contract,  I  mean  he  negotiated  in  part  with 
me  for  the  flour,  but  the  contract  was  concluded  and  signed  by  Colonel 
Northrop,  the  Commissary  General,  with  whom  he  also  had  several 
interviews  pending  the  negotiation. 

Had  Major  Ruffin  any  interest  in  said  contract  made  in  August, 
18d1,  either  directly  or  indirectly? 

Answer — He  had  none.  After  that  in  the  meantime,  between  the 
making  of  said  flour  contract  in  1861,  and  the  negotiation  for  the 
contract  in  1862, 1  several  times  mentioned  to  Major  Ruffin  that  I  had 
flour  for  sale,  but  was  uniformly  answered  that  he  was  not  charged 
with  the  purchase  of  flour,  that  duty  having  befh  devolved  on  other 
parties,  viz  :  Major  Claiborne,  the  Depot  Commissary,  and  Mr. 
Doswcll. 

Question  by  Mr.  McRea — Is  the  firm  of  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co. 
the  same  no^v  that  it  was  in  1861  ? 

Answer — It  is  composed  of  the  same  persons. 

Question  by  the  same — ^iad  Major  Ruffin  any  interest  in  said  firm 
in  1861?  ", 

Answer — None  whatever. 


16 


Question  by  chairman — What  relationship  docs  Major  Ruflfin  bear 
to  any  one  of  the  parties  of  the  firm  of  Haxall,  Crenshaw  &  Co., 
either  by  affinity  or  consanguinity  ? 

Answer — None  whatever. 


P6Rmalip6« 

pH8.5 


